Computing apparatus



1953 z. NARZAKIAN. 3,101,008

COMPUTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 28, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZAVAN NARZAKIAN ATTORNEY 3,101,008 comurmo APPARATUS Zavaii Narzakian, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor to the United States of Americaas represented by the Secre tary of the Navy l Filed-NOV. 23, lhl, Ser. BIO-155,510

3 Claims. (Cl; 74- 6%), V

' (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein" may be manufactured andused by or for the Government of the United States of- America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

- The present invention relates to a Computing apparatus,

f and more particularly toa mechanicalcornput-ing apparatus for continuously resolving a vector quantity into rectangular components thereof. Itjis often desirable to resolve a vector quantity, which :1 is d efined by length and bearing, into rectangular components in order to present. data in a form consistent with other] data 'for subsequent. computations. One such V w s apparatusof FIG. 1 as viewed from the left end thereof; I

and

FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents a cross-sectional view of the apparatus as taken along the, line 3-3 of FIG. 1. i

p In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, primary structural support of the" mechanical computing apparatus obtains from a'rigid frame membenindicated generally by the numeral 10, including a base plate 11 and rigid extended portions 12, 13, 14, and 15. A resolver wheel,

7 indicated generally by the numeral 17, having a bevel gear 21 out about the periphery is rotatably' supported mechanical resolvingdeviceiswdisciosed in US. Patent 2,993,643 'of P. G. Holt for Pilots Automatic Dead" Reckoning Equipment, wherein a computer receivesan airspeed 'vector input vector signal in terms; of airspeed and heading. j These terms correspondto the length and angular positionor hearing of the vector. The (length of the airspeed vector is determined by the output shaft position of an airspeed responsive element,.and the hearing by the output shaft position of a compass. The airspeed shaft position drives a member rectilinearly slidable along a radius of a wheel, and the compass shaft position notates the Wheel. "The position of the member can; then be measuredialong normal axes'to provide rectilinear com ponents of the vector. However, in order for. the'deyice to resolve the vector into pure rectilinear components they have heretofore required that theairspeed shaft position be compensatedby the' compass shaft position. In the absence of such compensation, a change in compass shaft position without any change in airspeed shaft posirection, such as through a diiferential mechanism, thereby maintained the slidable member stationary relativeto thewheel when only the compass shaft position is varied. Obviously, to incorporate this'correction factor requires additional preoision parts, which not only add to the weight-andsize of the resolving device, but further require compass "shaft output to be of sufficient power to drive both the wheel and the slidable member-due to their interconnection.

- Accordingly, it is anlobject of the present invention to provide an improved mechanical computing apparatus for continuously resolving a vector defined bynbearing and length components into rectangular components, in which the bearing and length components of the vector input signal-are independent of each other, in which the power requirements of each input are determined solely forv its respective condition responsive element, and in which the bearing and length components of the vector input. signal may be varied relative to each other without aifecting each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedmechanicalcomputer forcontinuously resolving a vector defined in polar components into rectangular components which is relatively simple in design and construction, accurate, reliable, and inexpensive to manufacture Various other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of one embodiment of the in: vention, and the most novel features will be particularly onthe extended portion 12 at a coaxial cylindrical boss portion '18 by 'a rolling bearing 19. ;The rotational axis, identified in the drawings by the chain line-A-A, est-abvflis'hes one end of thevector from which its length is determined, and the vertex about which its bearing is throughthewheel bevel gear 21 by a train of bevel gears determined. The wheel 17 is rotated about the-axis A-A 22 and '23 axially connected to the extended portions 14 and 13, respectively, for relative rotation thereto, and an 1 input shaft 24. The shaft 24, in turn, is ad-atped to be drivingly connected to the angular output of a device, such "as a compass, which is indicative of the angular position or hearing of a vector quantity.

The resolver wheel 17 further defines an. exposed cylindrical boss portion 26 coaxial with the wheel 17 having'a slot 27 passing through the axis A-A. The transverse profile of the slot is of dovetail configuration for v retaining a slidable'block 28 at two opposed edges beveled tion lwill nevertheless cause the s'lidable' member to move I along the Wheel radius. The addition of a bearing cor-V to matewithin the sides of the slot 27. The movement of the block2$ along the length of the slot 27 is limited by two studs 31 and 32 projecting from the boss portion 26 into meson-1 at positions near'the ends thereof. A

shaft 33 projecting from the exposed side of the slidable bl-ock28 is positioned on the block 28 so that when the i blockis against the stud 32, as shown in partial phantom outline, the shaft 33 is coaxial with the wheel 17 at the axis A--A; and when the block -28 abuts the stud 3 1, the shaft 33 is at its maximum radial displacement from the axis AA.

It should now be apparent-that the position of the shaft 33 about the axis A-A can provide indication of the bearing and length of a vector. It is a matter within the purview of one skilled in the art of computer techniques to measure the relative position of the shaft 33 from any two normal axes. When these axes have their origin or'point of intersection on the A-A and in a plane for engaging a spur gear 37 which is axially connected to the wheel 17 for rotation relative thereto onan axis normal to anddisplaced f-rorn the -axisAA. The spur gear 37, driven by a pinion 38 coaxial ly fixed thereto for rotation therewith, meshes with a gear rack 39. The rack -39 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 40 j coaxial With the wheel 17 along the axis AA rotatably and slidably contained by a bushing assembly indicated generally by the numeral 41. The assembly 41, in turn, is

: Patented Aug. 20,1963

rotatable about the axis A -A by a threaded connection to the extended portion 12 of'the frame member 10. A coaxial gear portion 43, drivingly connected to a spur gear 44, will cause the memberj41;to rotate and axially advance or retract along the threaded connection relative to the extended portion 12. An input; shaft 45 coaxially fixed to the/spur gear 44 forrotation therewith is journaled in the extended portions 13 and 15 of the frame member and is adapted to be rotatably driven inresponse-to'a signal-indicative of the length of the vector.

The rack 39,, being slidable in the assembly 41, will follow the rotation of the wheel 17 due to meshing connection with pinion 38. Along the axis A-'A, however, the rack 39 will follow the axial translation of the assembly 41. .The rack 39 is urged against an adjustable pin 46 threadingly engaged to the assembly 41 along the axis A-k-A bymeans of cantilever spring 47 which is 1 operatively connected between the slidable block 28 and the exposed boss portion 27 by a pair of studs 48-and 49,

respectively. The adjustahility of pin 46 provides for axially positioning the rack 39 relative to the assembly 41; The spring 47 urges the shaft 33 along theaxis A A againstthe pi-n46 via the gear 37 and pinion 38. A posi tive meshing relationship of the pinion 38 "and the rack 39 is ensured by a roller bearing 51 axiallysupported in the resolver wheel 17 adjacent to the side of the shaft 39 oppositeo-f its rack teeth. 7 v g The operation of the-,cornputingapparatus should now be apparent The shaft 24, whenrotated'toga position indicative of a vectorbearing, causes the gears 22 and 23 to rotate the wheel 17 about the axis A A until the slot 27 aligns inia corresponding position. The shaft 45,

when angularly positioned an amount proportional to the vector-length, causes thedrivespur gear 44 to rotate the assembly 41 aboutthe ==axis AA and advance or retracts in its threadedconnect ion with the extended portion 12 a corresponding proportional amount. Of course, the gear 44 must be of sufiicient width to maintain a meshing connectionwith the gear portion 43 forthe entire axial translation of the assembly 41. Due to its positive contact on the pin 46 maintained by the spring 47, the rack 39 will axially follow the positioning of the assembly 41- along the axis A-A and likewise the block 28 will 'be proportionally positioned along the slot27.

The output shaft'33 on the block 28- thcn bedisplaced from the axis AA an amount proportional to V thelength of the vector, and its angular position'about the axis A-A will correspond to the bearing or direction of the vector. By transducer rneans'not shown, the position of the shaft 33 can be measured from any two normal axes having their origin at the axis AA thereby obtaining rectangular components of the vector.

Itywill thus be seen that the inputs of vector bearing and length to the shafts 24 and 45 are maintained independentfrom each other and do not interact upon the positioning of the shaft 33. The power requirements of each. of the, inputs to the shafts 24 and 45 are determined solely by the forces needed in pure angular and rectilinear motions of the shaft 33 with respect to the axis A--A, hence they are at a-minimum. It will be further observed that the present invention affords a compact arrangement of elements having arelatively few number of parts, and is capable of producing resolution of polar components into rectilinear components with great accuracy and reliability. 1

; It will be understood that various changes in the details,

materials,;steps. and arrangement ofparts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the natureof the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended'claims.

What is claimed is: a 1. A computing apparatus for resolving a vector into rectangular components, comprising: a rigid support memher, a resolver'wheel axially connected to said support said wheel in accordance with the'vector direction, first member for rotation relative thereto, output means operatively connected to said resolver wheel for sliding along a rectilinear slot radially disposed in said wheel, stop means fixed to -said wheel for limiting the travel of said output means alongsaid slot, bearing input means operatively connected to said resolver wheel for rotating rack means fixed to said output means and positioned connected at one end to said second gear rneansand coaxially inserted at the other end thereof inone endof said hub forsliding and rotatingrelative thereto, a-djusting means coaxially and threadingly inserted in the other end of said hub for limiting the insertion of said second rack means, magnitude input means'd-rivingly connected-Q to said third gear means for rotating fsaid third gear means thereby axially moving said thir-d gear means along the threaded connection thereof in accordance .with

the vector length, and force-exerting means operatively connected between said output means. and said resolver the vector input signals. v 2. A computing apparatus for resolving a vector into rectangular; components, comprising: a rigid support along a rectilinear slot radially disposed in said wheel,'

wheel for slidably urging the insertion end of said second rack means against the insertion end of saidadjusting means; whereby the distances of said output means from any two normal axes passing through the resolver wheel axis is proportional to the rectangularcomponent-s ofmember, a resolver wheel axially connected to said support member for rotation relative thereto, output means operatively connectedito said resolver wheel for sliding stop means'fixed to said wheelfor limitijngfthe travel of said output means along said slot, bearing input means operatively connected tov said resolver wheel for rotating said wheel, first rack means fixed to said output means and positioned along the length. of said slot, first gear means axially connected to said wheel for rotation relative thereto and drivingly connected to said. first rack means, second gear means coaxially connected to said first gear means and vrotatable therewith, third gear means coaxial with said resolver Wheel and havinga huh means threadingly connected to said support. member, second rack means drivingly connected at one end to said second gear means and ooaxially inserted atthe other end thereof in one end of said hub means for sliding and rotating relative thereto, length input means driving'ly connected to said third gear means for rotating said third gear means thereby axially moving said third gear means along the threaded connection thereof, and fiorce-exerting means operatively connected between said output means and said resolver wheel for slidably urging the insertion and of said record rack means against said hub means; whereby the distances of said output means from any two normal axes passing through the resolver wheel axis is proportional to the rectangular components of the vector input signals. 7

' 3. A computing apparaws nor resolving a vector into rectangular comp-onentscomprisingra :n'g'id support mem her, a wheel axially connected to said support member for rotation relative thereto, "output means operatively connected to said wheel nor sliding along a rectilinear means axially connected to said wheel for rotation relative thereto and drivingly connected to said first rack means, second rack means eoaxially inserted at one end thereof in said hub means for sliding and rotating relative thereto and the other end drivingly connected to said second gear means, length input means operatively connected to said first gear means for rotating said first gear means thereby axially moving said first gear means along the threaded connection thereof, and force-exerting means operatively connected between said output means and said wheel nor urging the insertion end of said second rack means against said hub means; whereby the distances of said output means from. any two normal axes passing through the wheel axis is proportional to the rectangular components of the vector input signals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS Knowles et al. Oct. 7, 1947 Bannnw et a1. May 1, 1951 Black et a1. Dec. 6, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 5, 1914 France Septf3, 1907 Great Britain Mar. 4-, 1959 France Ian. 20, 1954 UNITED STA'KES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3, 101 ,008 August 20, 1963 Zavan Narzakian he above numbered pat- 'tified that error appears in t Patent should read as 1t is hereby ce ent reqlir'lng correation and that the said Letters wnz'rected below.

Column 4, line 39 line line 59, for "recor-n read for 1imitijng read limiting second Signed and sealed this 21st day of April 19640 Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A COMPUTING APPARATUS FOR RESOLVING A VECTOR INTO RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS, COMPRISING: A RIGID SUPPORT MEMBER, A RESOLVER WHEEL AXIALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ROTATION RELATIVE THERETO, OUTPUT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID RESOLVER WHEEL FOR SLIDING ALONG A RECTILINEAR SLOT RADIALLY DISPOSED IN SAID WHEEL, STOP MEANS FIXED TO SAID WHEEL FOR LIMITING THE TRAVEL OF SAID OUTPUT MEANS ALONG SAID SLOT, BEARING INPUT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID RESOLVER WHEEL FOR ROTATING SAID WHEEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VECTOR DIRECTION, FIRST RACK MEANS FIXED TO SAID OUTPUT MEANS AND POSITIONED ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID SLOT, FIRST GEAR MEANS AXIALLY CONNECTED TO SAID WHEEL FOR ROTATION RELATIVE THERETO AND DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST RACK MEANS, SECOND GEAR MEANS COAXIALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST GEAR MEANS AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, THIRD GEAR MEANS COAXIAL WITH SAID RESOLVER WHEEL AND HAVING A HUB THREADINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, SECOND RACK MEANS DRIVINGLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID SECOND GEAR MEANS AND COAXIALLY INSERTED AT THE OTHER END THEREOF IN ONE END OF SAID HUB FOR SLIDING AND ROTATING RELATIVE THERETO, ADJUSTING MEANS COAXIALLY AND THREADINGLY INSERTED IN THE OTHER END OF SAID HUB FOR LIMITING THE INSERTION OF SAID SECOND RACK MEANS, MAGNITUDE INPUT MEANS DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID THIRD GEAR MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID THIRD GEAR MEANS THEREBY AXIALLY MOVING SAID THIRD GEAR MEANS ALONG THE THREADED CONNECTION THEREOF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VECTOR LENGTH, AND FORCE-EXERTING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID OUTPUT MEANS AND SAID RESOLVER WHEEL FOR SLIDABLY URGING THE INSERTION END OF SAID SECOND RACK MEANS AGAINST THE INSERTION END OF SAID ADJUSTING MEANS; WHEREBY THE DISTANCES OF SAID OUTPUT MEANS FROM ANY TWO NORMAL AXES PASSING THROUGH THE RESOLVER WHEEL AXIS IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS OF THE VECTOR INPUT SIGNALS. 